Hope Chest store godsend for shoppers on budget

GRAVENHURST — They called it a “giveaway.”

But it was much more Saturday morning.

It was a great big, warm, fuzzy, huggy “thank you” to the community for its continued support of a good cause.

The St. James Anglican Church’s Hope Chest is a hidden treasure many consider a godsend for shoppers on a budget.

It’s now in its ninth year.

And their annual “spring cleaning” — where they give away bags of clothing, shoes, coats and whatever knickknacks you can stuff in the big black or white plastic bags they give you — was another huge success for the all-volunteer Anglican Church Women (ACW) members of the congregation that is wrapping up celebrations on its sesquicentennial (150^th) year in town.

And dozens took part, many of them returning customers who shop in the newely renovated community room in the basement of the church.

Some of the clientele probably found a piece or two they even donated earlier.

And while it was all gratis, some of the good folks shopping found a small jar hidden back on a table at the entrance to give back, by donating to the good cause.

The Hope Chest, a ‘Community Outreach’ each Wednesday and Thursday morning offers “used, but not abused” goods — mostly clothing.

They’ve come a long way from 2009, when they used to have a little storefront room they opened up twice a week.

Now that room is overflowing with kids toys and things an Early Years program pulls out all over the floors for their weekly programs.

The Hope Chest, meanwhile, gets tucked away back inside a set of neatly-organized cupboard doors that in a matter of a few minutes racks of dresses, suits, pants and jackets that can be rolled out into the open area to reveal shelves of sweaters folded onto shelves.

In and out and back put away with no fuss and no muss.

This was a chance to clear the winter deck and make room to restock for spring, said Judy Marriott, one of the ACW organizers.

The Hope Chest continues to be open every Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to serve the community with good quality used clothing, shoes, shirts, pants, coats, books and other items at very reasonable prices.

And at the same time they take in clothing and goods donations, says Marriott.

The money raised is used to support other community organizations in town, such as the Women’s Centre, teenage girls program, school breakfast programs, Barrie and Teresa Buker’s mission, the food bank and more.

Anything left over Saturday went to the Bukers, who are struggling personally right now as they try to continue to operate a free local giveway from their home out on the Muskoka Beach Road in Gravenhurst.

But the way the bags were flying out the door, it may be slim pickings when all was said and done after noon.

However, unlike old Mother Hubbard, these cupboards aren’t bare.

Come Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. the ACW will swing open the doors and roll out all new stock.

Why not join them for look or grab a coffee in the kitchen.

Better still, bring a bag of your own stuff — maybe a summer shirt that doesn’t fit — and go home with one that does.

After all the styles change every season, and this is the place to find the new inner fashion in you for 2018.

St. James Anglican Church is just off Gravenhurst’s main street, one block west of the Pizza Pizza/TD Bank intersection. It’s almost right behind the Opera House.

The church, built in 1868, hopes to install an elevator to the Hope Chest basemen and community room this year.